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Lakota
The Sioux warrior Tacante prepares to fight the white man to save the old ways of the People, certain that his moment of death is imminent
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1989
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
G. Clifton Wisler
81 books15 followersHe was a North Texas schoolteacher who became a prolific author best known for his historical novels, most of them written for young adults.
He had written 73 books and 22 short stories and had contributed numerous articles to Boys' Life magazine for at least 20 years.
Born in Oklahoma City, Mr. Wisler grew up in Dallas, where he graduated with honors from Hillcrest High School in 1968.
He received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 1972 and began teaching at Denton High School, where his duties included the school newspaper and yearbook.
He returned to SMU, where he earned his master's degree in English and education in 1974. He later attended the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas, where he was writing his dissertation on a Civil War history of the 9th Texas Infantry Regiment for a doctorate in history.
Mr. Wisler had many 9th Texas Infantry artifacts on loan from people helping him in his research, his sister said.
Mr. Wisler taught at Ben Jackson Middle School in Garland. In 1979, he published his first novel, My Brother, the Wind, which was nominated for the 1980 American Book award.
In 1984, Mr. Wisler left teaching to devote himself to writing. Two years later, he briefly returned to teaching at Bowman Middle School in Plano.
Mr. Wisler's honors include the International Reading Association's 2001 Paul A. Witty Short Story Award for his work, "The Orange Armband," and an Association of Educational Publishers 2000 Distinguished Achievement Award for Bloody Pond.
He twice won the Western Writers of America Spur Award and was a finalist for the honor eight times.
Gary grew up in Scouting, in Troop 709 sponsored by Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church. After graduating from Hillcrest High School in 1968, he went on to SMU. While a college student in the 1970s, he served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 709. He also later served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 143, and as Scoutmaster of Troop 30 and Troop 106.
He kept his Vigil in 1982 and was given the Vigil name "Mane of the Buffalo Herder." Gary was recognized with the District Award of Merit for service to youth in and out of the Scouting program. Gary completed Wood Badge and served on staff at Camp Constantin. He received the National Silver Beaver Award.
Gary received the Phil Paul Award in 1986 and the Founders Award in 1990.
Gary was a contributing writer to Boys' Life magazine and other Scouting publications. Among his writings was the short story, The Orange Armband, published in the December 2000 issue of Boys' Life. It tells the fascinating story of American soldiers arriving to liberate Nazi-occupied Holland, and how outlawed Boy Scouts joining the fight for freedom. He contributed to and edited I Go To Prepare a Trail for You, Mikanakawa Lodge 1937-1987, the Lodge history book.
In addition, Gary was a popular writer for young readers, authoring more than 70 books, including Run the Blockade, Red Cap, My Brother the Wind, Massacre at Powder River, A Cry of Angry Thunder and Piper's Ferry: A Tale of the Texas Revolution. He traveled extensively to research his books, placing the reader often in the shoes of a boy growing into manhood amid difficult, historical times. His books are found in school libraries and public libraries across the United States. He was a noted Civil War historian.
Gary taught English and Journalism in both Garland and Plano public schools, educating many who have gone on to prominent careers in journalism. He lived most of his adult life in Plano.
In this life, he was taken all too quickly from us. He lived his life for others, devoting himself fully to the work of the Lord in all he did, living the Scout Oath, Scout Promise and more importantly, The Golden Rule.
He had written 73 books and 22 short stories and had contributed numerous articles to Boys' Life magazine for at least 20 years.
Born in Oklahoma City, Mr. Wisler grew up in Dallas, where he graduated with honors from Hillcrest High School in 1968.
He received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 1972 and began teaching at Denton High School, where his duties included the school newspaper and yearbook.
He returned to SMU, where he earned his master's degree in English and education in 1974. He later attended the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas, where he was writing his dissertation on a Civil War history of the 9th Texas Infantry Regiment for a doctorate in history.
Mr. Wisler had many 9th Texas Infantry artifacts on loan from people helping him in his research, his sister said.
Mr. Wisler taught at Ben Jackson Middle School in Garland. In 1979, he published his first novel, My Brother, the Wind, which was nominated for the 1980 American Book award.
In 1984, Mr. Wisler left teaching to devote himself to writing. Two years later, he briefly returned to teaching at Bowman Middle School in Plano.
Mr. Wisler's honors include the International Reading Association's 2001 Paul A. Witty Short Story Award for his work, "The Orange Armband," and an Association of Educational Publishers 2000 Distinguished Achievement Award for Bloody Pond.
He twice won the Western Writers of America Spur Award and was a finalist for the honor eight times.
Gary grew up in Scouting, in Troop 709 sponsored by Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church. After graduating from Hillcrest High School in 1968, he went on to SMU. While a college student in the 1970s, he served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 709. He also later served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 143, and as Scoutmaster of Troop 30 and Troop 106.
He kept his Vigil in 1982 and was given the Vigil name "Mane of the Buffalo Herder." Gary was recognized with the District Award of Merit for service to youth in and out of the Scouting program. Gary completed Wood Badge and served on staff at Camp Constantin. He received the National Silver Beaver Award.
Gary received the Phil Paul Award in 1986 and the Founders Award in 1990.
Gary was a contributing writer to Boys' Life magazine and other Scouting publications. Among his writings was the short story, The Orange Armband, published in the December 2000 issue of Boys' Life. It tells the fascinating story of American soldiers arriving to liberate Nazi-occupied Holland, and how outlawed Boy Scouts joining the fight for freedom. He contributed to and edited I Go To Prepare a Trail for You, Mikanakawa Lodge 1937-1987, the Lodge history book.
In addition, Gary was a popular writer for young readers, authoring more than 70 books, including Run the Blockade, Red Cap, My Brother the Wind, Massacre at Powder River, A Cry of Angry Thunder and Piper's Ferry: A Tale of the Texas Revolution. He traveled extensively to research his books, placing the reader often in the shoes of a boy growing into manhood amid difficult, historical times. His books are found in school libraries and public libraries across the United States. He was a noted Civil War historian.
Gary taught English and Journalism in both Garland and Plano public schools, educating many who have gone on to prominent careers in journalism. He lived most of his adult life in Plano.
In this life, he was taken all too quickly from us. He lived his life for others, devoting himself fully to the work of the Lord in all he did, living the Scout Oath, Scout Promise and more importantly, The Golden Rule.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 27, 2017
Read for 5410 class
I did not like Lakota. It was very boring, and I did a countdown the last 80 pages. Because Lakota is told in third person, there is very little emotional connection to Mastincala/Tacante or the Lakota people in general. I felt semi-sorry for them when they talk of how the wagon trains are scaring off all of their food supplies, but the gnawing of hunger as emptiness rattles through a grown man’s stomach and the fierceness of the Dakota winter wind that rips through parkas as easily as buffalo hides is absent. Wisler does a lot of telling instead of showing (except for the graphic description of what happens at a sun dance; I could have done without knowing that!). I was also annoyed by the lack of a map and glossary. I understand that Lakota is not a textbook, but I kept going to Google to see exactly where the Big Horn Mountains, Fort Laramie, etc. are located. And there are lots of Lakota terms, which is great ethos to the story, but I didn’t understand them, so, again, to Google I went. Either Wisler needed to build in better denotations in his text or include a glossary at the end that I could easily flip to to better understand important concepts that were thrown about with such casualness as “making straight A’s” or “trending on Twitter” are used in 21st vernacular. The few sentences or paragraphs that attempt to be emotive are lacking in getting to the heart-rending pain and despair that happens when a little brother or kola is killed or the security, protectiveness, and tender affection that swells in a new father’s chest when a baby is first held against one’s thumping heart. Don't tell me, show me!
I did not like Lakota. It was very boring, and I did a countdown the last 80 pages. Because Lakota is told in third person, there is very little emotional connection to Mastincala/Tacante or the Lakota people in general. I felt semi-sorry for them when they talk of how the wagon trains are scaring off all of their food supplies, but the gnawing of hunger as emptiness rattles through a grown man’s stomach and the fierceness of the Dakota winter wind that rips through parkas as easily as buffalo hides is absent. Wisler does a lot of telling instead of showing (except for the graphic description of what happens at a sun dance; I could have done without knowing that!). I was also annoyed by the lack of a map and glossary. I understand that Lakota is not a textbook, but I kept going to Google to see exactly where the Big Horn Mountains, Fort Laramie, etc. are located. And there are lots of Lakota terms, which is great ethos to the story, but I didn’t understand them, so, again, to Google I went. Either Wisler needed to build in better denotations in his text or include a glossary at the end that I could easily flip to to better understand important concepts that were thrown about with such casualness as “making straight A’s” or “trending on Twitter” are used in 21st vernacular. The few sentences or paragraphs that attempt to be emotive are lacking in getting to the heart-rending pain and despair that happens when a little brother or kola is killed or the security, protectiveness, and tender affection that swells in a new father’s chest when a baby is first held against one’s thumping heart. Don't tell me, show me!
Displaying 1 of 1 review